Swimming apparatus



June 8 1926. 1,587,605

R. H. SCROGGINS SWIMMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 23, 1925' 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 8,1926. 1,587,605

R. H. SCRQGGINS SWIMMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 8 1926. 1,587,605

R.- H. SCROGGINS swmlme APPARATUS Filed Oct. 25, 1925 4 Sha ets-Sheet s June 8 1926. 1,587,605

R. H. SCROGGINS v swmmma APPARATUS Filed Oct. 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Z? ff. @Sarayyziza Patented June 55, 1926.

UNlTED STATES ROBERT E. SCROG'GINSUF QA KIVIONT, UPPER DARBY, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWIMMING nrraanrns.

Application filed. October 23, 1925.

Mr present invention has reference to a swi ruling apparatus or appliance. v

My object is the provision of a simple device which may be easily and securely attached so that a swimmer is buoyed on the surface of the water and thereby prevented from any liability of drowning.

A lt'urther object is the provision of an apparatus or appliance of this character which may be successfully employed by expert swimmers but which is especially adapted for use of learners and which will not only buoy the user but will sustain the users arms and legs in proper positions for malrii the swinuning strokes.

A further object is the provision of an apparatus for this purpose which includes a body constructed of wiater proof material shaped to correspond to the trunk of the user and being provided with a bifurcated portion forming extensions for the reception of the thighs of the user, means being prodded for effectively strapping the body on the person of the user and said body having.

its outer face which includes its leg portions, formed with an inflatable pocket, there being a ported division in the body between the trunk and leg portions of the body that affords a flexible connection between these parts so that the free moveir ent of the legs of the user will not be 1 interfered with.

A. still further object is the provision of an apparatus for this purpose, in wluch a 2 1 therebetween, the upper section carrying arched rests for the wrists of the swimmer, and said rests having pivotally supported on the under face thereof paddling arms which are i tuincd in vertical position upon the sw ming stroke of the user and which feather through the water upon the returningstroke of the arms of the user, there being means in the nature of straps for securing the pody and rests on the person of the user.

Serial No. 64,356.

A further object is the provision of a device for this purpose having telescopic arms connected by ball and socket joints to the body thereof and which arms removably support on the outer end thereof differently constructed paddling arms.

A further and important object of the invention is the provision of means whereby propellers will be actuated upon the leg strokes of the swimmer, either in connection with the propellers actuated by the arms of the swimmer or independentof such propellers.

still further object is the provision of a swimming appliance or means for buoying the user of the appliance and for actuating propellers in the leg; stroke of the swimmer, said propellers beii ig' spring influenced in one direction and having stop means for limiting the movement thereof in the see- 0nd direction. and whereby the propellers are actuated by the minimum amount of physical exertion by the swimmer.

A still further object is the provision of a swimming apparatus that comprises a buoyant support for the swimmer and that is A ovided with propelling means automatically actuated by the stroke the swimmer for effectively propelling; the swimmer through the water, protecting the swimmer from drowning, readily appliabie without discomfort to the user, and thoroughly efficient in practice application.

m the attainment of the force io broadly stated objects and others which. will appear as the nature of the in ention is bet er understood. reference is to be had to the drawings which accompany and fo part of this application.

In the drawings Figure l is a perspective view of the improvement.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view their: with propeller carrying arms PQDlOVQtl.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 of Figure 2.

lllt) Figure l is a sectional view on the line l of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional viewthrough the outer sections of one of the arms and through the rest memher carried thereby.

Figure 6 is an end view looking toward the rest member and the ropeller asv societed therewith.

:1. right angle with respect to the showing The body includes a forward or trunk Figure 1 is an elevation with parts in section, illustrating a second form of propeller.

F ure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8 8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view through the construction illustrated in Figure 7, but showing the propeller turned at right angles to that disclosed in said Figure 7, as when the propeller is being feathered through the water.

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus provided with propellers actuated by the leg stroke of the swimmer.

Figure 11 is a sectional view on the line .11 of Figure 10. Figure 12 is a detailed enlarged sectional view approximately on the line 12-12 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken t a in Figure 12.

Figure 1% is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the construction disclosed in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a sectional view through one of the paddling blades and the mount therefor.

Figure 16 is a bottom plan view illustrating a further modification.

Figure 17 is a side elevation of the device disclosed by Figure 16.

Figure 18 is an enlarged sectional View approximately on the line 1818 of Figure 16.

Figure 19 is a sectional View approximately on the line 1919 of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a plan view of the device as illustrated in Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a longitudinal sectional view through the propeller casing to illustrate a further modification.

As disclosed by the drawings, I make use of a body of some soft waterproof material, such as rubber or rubberized cloth.

portion 1. The body at its rear end is cen trally slit'ted for a determined length to provide leg portions 2. At the ends of the leg portions there are straps 3, comprising adjustably associated sections. Inward of the juncture of the legs of the body 1 there is a second strap 4 also comprising adjustably associated sections. The edges of the body, adjacent to the bent ends thereof, are provided with similar straps 5. The forward end of the trunk portion ofthe body is centrally dipped or depressed to provide for the reception of the neck of the user, the trunk of the user resting upon the body 1 and the thighs being received in the leg portions 2. When so arranged the straps 8, 4 and 5 are adjustably connected.

On its under face, the body 1, including the leg portions 2, is formed with and has attached thereto a pocket. The pm-ket, while constructed of a single piece of suit able water proof material, is divided into two parts, that underlying the body being indicated by the numeral 6 and those underlying the leg portions 2 being indicated by the numerals 7. The portions 7 are, at determined spaced intervals, connected to the body 1 at the juncture of the leg portions 2 therewith. The spaces between the connected portions provide ports, so that air let through a normally closed valve 8 in the pocket section 6 will also enter the pockets 7. By such construction, it will be apparc that the user of the device will be efi'cctive buoyed when in swimming position in a body of water, and the construction, as so far described, may be successfully employed by either expert or amateur swimmers.

The body 1 has its under face, in alinement with the adjustable straps 5, provided with a transverse pocket 9 and passed through this pocket there is the central arched portion 10 of a metal plate. The plate shapes 'the body to conform with the shape of the chest of the user of the device. The arched plate 10 has straight ends 11 which project through the pool-(ct 9. These straight ends are designed to be received in sockets 12 on the ends of cup members 13. Binding means 14; hold the cup members on the ends of the plate. The cup members 18 each receive therein a ball head 1%- on one end of a hollow arm 15. Telescopically received in the arm 15 there is a rod 16 which forms the arm extension. Binding means 17 hold the rods 18 adjusted with respect to the arms 15. The rods 16 have a ball and socket joint connection 18 with a hollow rod or arm extension 19. Each of the members 19 is received in a socket 20 formed centrally on the outer face of a cross sectionally arched plate 21 which serves as a rest for the wrist of the user of the apparatus. Each of the rests 21 car-r an adjustable strap. 22 whereby the 'l'lfit (if the user may be eifectivelv sustained in the said rests. On the under face of each of the rests 21 there is secured the ends of a sub stantially U-shaped member or bale and the longitudinalv element of this bale passes through eyes 24: in the upper edge of propellers or blades 25. Each of the propellers has a lip extension 26 to contact with the outer face of the pocket through which the arm extensions 19 pass, so that the said propellers or blades are held from outward movement with respect to the rests 2].. In this manner it will. be noted that the propellers are effectively held in upright position during the swimming stroke and will be effectively feathered upon the return stroke of the arms of the swimmer. In the construction illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the wrist rests 21 are dispensed with and there is telescopically received in the hollow arm extension 19 a rod 27 formed on the end of a propeller or oar blade 28. The propeller 28, in this nstance. has a central opening 29 through which the hand of the swimmer passes. The inner wall provided by this opening is reinforced by a preferably compressible cross sectionally rounded element 30. The element 30 is gripped by the hand of the swimmer. The propeller 28 is held in vertical position during the swimn'iing stroke and is turned by the hand of the swimmer to horizontal position upon the return stroke of the arms of the swimmer.

The foregoing description has particular reference to Figures 1 to 10 of the drawings. The mentioned figures and description set forth a satisfactory construction whereby an amateur swimmer or bather will be effectively prevented from drowning and will learn the proper swimming strokes without the aid of an instructor, but it is an important object of my invention to provide means which are automatically operated upon the leg strokes of the swimmer for further assisting in his propulsion through the water. Therefore in Figures 10 to 15 I have disclosed a buoyant body substantially similar to that previously described. It is to be noted that in all of the figures of the drawings the leg sections 2 have their inner portions provided with substantially V-shaped notches that divide the same from the body 1. This is important because the improvement provides for what may be termed a frog stroke of the legs of the user. The manner of inflating the body and the legs are of course similar in all of the several views of the drawings.

Referring now particularly to Figures 10 to 15, the body 1 has on its under face a substantially centrally arranged tube 32. The tube. adjacent to the breast portion of the body 1. has a flared mouth. The body 1, forward of the flared mouth of the tube, is reinforced by a metallic sul'istantia-lly V- shaped member 33. This member, of course, is imhedded in the rubberized fabric and is centrally formed, on its under face with a threaded lug The bore of the lug has a flared portion for the reception of the substantially conical head 35 of a bolt member 36. The lug is engaged by a threaded washer or nut 37 that clamps against the under face of the body 1 a plate 38. The plate 38 formed on what may be termed its forward end with a downstanding flange 39. The bolt really in the nature of a pivot mei'nber and has an enlarged upward portion received through a casing it). The bolt or pivot member 36 has its outer end provided with a threaded bore in which is screwed a bolt member 41. This member l1 has its head contacting with a washer 42 which engages the outer face of the eas ing 10. The casing 40 is formed of two flanged circular ring members, one of which being provided with a peripheral depr ssion to receive therein the edge of the second member. For distinction these members are indicated by the numerals and respectively. Each of the members has an inwardly directed lug 45. These lugs are apertured to receive therein the offset ends of the opposite leg portions of a helical spring 46. This spring is coilet around the pivot member 34. The casing sections are provided with outstanding hollow arms 47 respectively and in these arms there are arranged propellers lS. The spring a6 exerts a tension to bring the arms 47 into contact with the stop lug 39. The propellers in the hollow arms l7 are arranged to contact with the water upon the forward stroke of the swimmer and to feather upon the return or inactive stroke of the swimmer. By reference to Figure 15 of the drawings it will be noted that the propeller blades 48 have their forward ends 4-9 notched as at 50, while a pin 51 passes through the rod members 52 which are fixedly arranged in the hollow arms 47, and whereby the feathering of the propellers 4-8 is effected.

Secured to eyes on each of the hollow arms 47 there are flexible elements 53 that are guided through the tubular element 32. These elements have on their outer ends suitable straps 5d which'are arranged around the ankles of the user. The operation will it is believed, be apparent. The spring 46 assists the swimmer in moving his legs to the position illustrated in Figure 10 of the drawings. The upward movement of the swimmers legs illustrated by dotted lines in the said FigurelO cause the propellers to be moved to the position illustrated in full lines in the said Figure 10. The sweeping movement of the propellers effectively assists the swimmer in his forward stroke. while the feathering of the propellers offers small resistance to the swimmer in his retiju'n stroke.

In Figures 16 to 20 a modification of the above structure is illussated. in these ligures the body 1 and the leg portions are connected thereto as above described. The body 1 adjacent to the breast and abdomen portions thereof is reinforced by metallic members which, of course, assist in holding the said body in normal position. To its metallic members, indicated by the numerals 53, and on the under faceof the body member 1 there are secured spaced metallic tubes 54:. The under face of each of the tubes 54 is slotted longitudinally as at and in each of the tubes 54 there is arranged a rod member 56. The tubes '5 have their rear portions provided with flared months 57, while the opposite ends of the tubes are closed. Inward of the flared mouths 57 each of the tubes has arranged therein a partition 58. lilovable through a central opening in each of the partitions 58 there is a rod member 59. The forward end of each of the rod members, on the ends thereof arranged adjacent to the closed ends of the tubes 56, have secured thereon elements 60. These elements are in the nature of washers which are provided with lugs 61 that extend through the slots 55. A justable means 62 hold the elements on the rods 59, while helical sp' 63 exert a pressure between the partitions 58 and the elements 60, thus influencing the rod members 59 into the casing 5%.

The outer ends of the rod men'ibers 56 are provided with disc heads These heads are provided with spaced notches which have pivotally secured therein by a ring member 65, the reduced ends of arms 66. This construction is substantially similar to the connection of the roos of an umbrella with the runners therefor] The outer ends of the rods 6-8 are connected to a depressihle body ST which resembles, substantially, the fabric covering of an umliirella. The body (57, however, in this instance is of waternoof material and, of course, provides a propeller.

Secured to the lug 61 of each of the elements 60 there is a waterproof flexible element in the nature of a light but strong cable 68. Each of these cables has on its outer end an adjustable strap 69 designed to be arranged around the ankle of the swimmer.

With this construction it will be noted that the con'ipressible propellers G7 are normally housed in the flared mouths 57 of the tubes 68, being thus influenced by the springs 56. The springs thus influence the legs of the swimmer to the position illustrated by the dotted lines in Figure 16 of the drawings. It is natural for a swimmer to bring his knees to normal position so that comparatively small exertion is occasioned by the svrin'uner in bringing his legs to the full line position in Figure 16. This, of course draws on the rods 56 to bring the propellers out of the housings provided by the flared ends 57 of the tubes 54:, so that an impulse movement through the water will be imparted to the swimmer.

in Figure 21, the construction is substantially similar to that just described, except that the arms, similar to the arms G6, are in the nature of spring members and are designated by the numerals 70. These spring arms are normally received in the flared end of a tube similar to the tube 54 and are connected to and influenced by a rod Tl similar to the rod 56. The rod 71 is, of course, spring influenced and has connected therewith means similar to that previously described. The spring arms are secured to a fabric propeller 72. The fabric body of the propeller 72 is, of course, of rubberized material and the said propeller is actuated in a manner precisely similar to that above described.

it is believed that the foregoing description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings will fully set forth the construction of my improvement and the many advantages thereof to bathers, either 1 ert or amateur swin'imers, the simplicity the construction, the ease in which the samemay be manufactured, and profitably marketed so that further detailed description will, it is thought, not be required. The drawings, of course, illustrate only a satis factory embodiment of my device reduced to practice and therefore it is to be understood that I am entitled to make such changes therefrom fairly fall within the scope of what I claim.

Having described the invention, I claim l. A. swimming appliance comprising an inflatable body of water proof fabric having integrally formed comparatively short leg extensions which are inflated by air from the body and adjustable straps for fastening the body on the trunk and upper leg portions of a user.

2. A swimming appliance comprising a body of water proof fabric having comparatively short leg extensions and having an inflatable pocket on its outer face extending the length and width thereof, said pocket, at its juncture with the leg portion of the body, being connected to the body at spaced intervals to provide air ports between said connected portions, means for inflating the pocket, and adjustable straps for fastening the body and the leg portions thereof on the person of a user.

3. A swimming appliance comprising an inflatable body of water proof fabric having comparatively short leg extensions and having straps for fastening the body and the leg extensions on the person of the user, adj ustably associated loosely connected arms extending from the sides of the body adjacent to the outer ends thereof, and a propeller on the outer element of each arm.

l. A swimming appliance comprising an inflatable body of ater proof material having comparatively short leg extensions and adjustable straps for fastening the body on the trunk and upper leg portions of a user, an arched plate pocketed transversely in the body adjacent the front end thereof and having straight extensions, telescopically as sociated loosely connected arm sections removably secured to said extensions, and a propeller swingably associated with the outer element of each arm.

5. A swimming appliance including an inflatable body of water proof material, means thereon for fastening the body on the person of the user, an arched pocketed transversely in the body adjacent the front end thereof and said plate having straight extensions, arms having inner sockets for the reception of said extensions, means binding the arms to the extensions, each of said arms comprising swivelly connected telescopically associated sections, means for holding the sections adjusted with respect to each other, and a swingable propeller on the outer element or" each of said arms.

(5. A. swimming appliance comprising an inflatable body ot'watcr proof material having means for strapping the same on the person of a user, oppositely extending arms rigidly but removably secured to the sides of the body adjacent to the front end there of, each of said arms comprising a plurality of telescopically associated sections and ball and socket joints connecting said sections, an arm rest on each of the outer arm extensions means thereon for strapping the same around the wrist of the user and a swingable propeller below each rest.

7. A swimming appliance comprising a hollow body of water proof fabric having short leg extensions Whose inner edges are divided from the body in a manner to permit of the free lateral movement of the leg portions with respect to the body, and means for simultaneously inflating the body and leg portions.

8.1K swimming appliance comprising a hollow body of water proof fabric having short leg extensions whose inner edges are divided from the body in a manner to permit of the free late"al movement of the leg portions with respect to the body, means for simultaneously inflating the body and leg portions and propellers associated with the appliance.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ROBERT H. SCROGGINS. 

